Common quadrupeds include cats, dogs, cows and sheep.
A figure that walks on four limbs, also known as a quadruped, moves in a different manner than a bipedal figure, such as a human. When a quadruped walks, each of his limbs moves into a new position. Teach yourself the basics of quadruped animation by animating a walk cycle. A proper walk cycle moves a figure through each of the possible positions during an ordinary walk and repeats indefinitely.
Instructions
1. Open a frame by frame animation program such as Flash, Photoshop or Anim8or.
2. Draw the quadruped inside the canvas using the "Pen" or "Brush" tool. For example, draw a dog. The front-right leg extends forwards, the front-left leg extends backwards. The back-right leg extends straight down and the back-left leg bends slightly.
3. Press the "New Frame" button. Draw the body and head of the quadruped so that the figure's head and chest moves downwards slightly.
4. Adjust the position of the legs to simulate a walk. Bend the front-right leg and align it with the chest. Bend the front-left leg and move it back slightly. Slide the front-left leg forwards. Extend the back-right leg and move it backwards slightly.
5. Add a new frame and draw the quadruped with the head and body slightly raised. Straighten the front-right leg. Bend the front-left leg and move it forwards slightly. Plant the back-left leg on the ground and bend it slightly. Bend the back-right leg and move it forwards.
6. Repeat the pattern to extend the quadruped's walk.
